ANTARCTIC DREAM

Antarctic Dream: Our View

The Antarctic Dream is an ice-reinforced vessel rebuilt as an unrestricted, worldwide passenger vessel and was completely refurbished in 2002. The Antarctic Dream can take you to the remote reaches of little known Antarctica because the ship’s unique design lets it get to places which others can only see from afar. With a capacity of 80 passengers it is a great size for cruising.

Antarctic Dream: The Detail

A large dining room which comfortably seats 100 people, which means you will have plenty of space and with its large windows looking out on the scenery can seat all passengers in one sitting (and it serves as a comfortable lounge between mealtimes). Breakfast and lunches are with a wide assortment of dishes.
 
Dinner is more formal with full multicourse service by our professional Chilean wait staff. The cuisine is international with an appealing mix of famed Chilean fish and shellfish along with world famous Argentine meats. And naturally both lunch and dinner are accompanied by complimentary Chilean wines.
 
In the free time between landings, lectures and dinning, passengers can browse our small library, work out in our fitness room or hang out in our cozy pub. Our on board style is always casual. Finally there is the fascination of getting to know like-minded people from many countries around the world. Our sailings typically include at least 10 nationalities.
 
The Antarctic Dream plies the waters from Patagonia to the Antarctic Peninsula and is the first Chilean company to operate expeditions to Antarctica. She measures 83 metres long and 11.9 meters wide with a gross tonnage of 2,000 metric tons and a draught of 4.60 meters, with strengthened hull for polar navigation.
 
The team of lecturers, guides and crew ensure the finest experience with personalised service, proudly presenting the extraordinary land and ice-scapes, the marvellous wildlife, and the epic history of this region's exploration. A unique journey of adventure and discovery!
 
There is also a small gym and a sauna (with prior reservation) a doctor on board and a heliport, in case of emergency as well as 6 zodiacs each one with a capacity for 15 passengers
 
The Cabins;
40 Outside Double Staterooms spaced over 4 Decks, each with an outside view.
 
Cape Horn Deck; 2 Suites each suite measures 140 sq.ft / 14,6m2 and includes a bath tub and 7 windows and queen beds
 
Piloto Pardo Deck; 2 Suites each measuring 128 sq.ft / 12,8m2 and includes a bath tub and 3 windows. 1 Suite with a queen bed and 1 Suite with a twin bed
 
Shackleton Deck; 17 Superior Staterooms each measuring 90 sq.ft / 9m2 and includes a shower and 1 window. 7 staterooms have queen beds whilst the other 10 staterooms have twin beds
 
Amundsen Deck; 19 Staterooms each measuring 86 sq.ft / 8,6m2 and includes a shower and 1 porthole. 11 of the staterooms have queen beds and 8 staterooms have twin beds
 
The itinerary
 
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
 
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Board the Antarctic Dream where you will be greeted by our expedition leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Check-in will begin at 14:30.
 
Day 2 to 3: Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as “barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance”.
 
Day 4: Aitcho Island
Aitcho Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands, where we will disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
 
Day 5: Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while orcas, humpback and mink whales may be spotted at close range. The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation - the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.
 
Day 6: Paradise Bay - Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that if weather permits, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins and skuas. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
 
Day 7: Pleneau - Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel who’s high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations. Day 8: Deception Island - Whaler’s Bay - Pendulum Cove We continue sailing to Deception Island which is the largest active volcano in the areaat the northwest side of the Peninsula. During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum Cove where you can live the unique experience of swimming in this water. In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, giantpetrels, Wilson petrels, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck, we should also see sea elephants.
 
Days 9 and 10: Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.
 
Day 11: Ushuaia
After an early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am, thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.